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Abergavenny Festival of Cycling

ABERGAVENNY'S Festival of Cycling has received national acclaim in two major trade publications this week.

The ambitious plan to turn the Monmouthshire town into Wales' 'Capital of Cycling' has been recognised by the sport's 'bible', Cycling Weekly.

While the monthly publication Cycling World has devoted a whole raft of pages to the Festival and, particularly, the Sportifs that will form the centrepiece of it next month.

(Picture) London 2012 Olympic Games squad member David Millar, who is featured in a film at the Fringe Festival this year, wins the 2007 National Championships in Abergavenny

The latest acclaiim for the town's annual Festival of Cycling, which is now in its' sixth year since reviving in 2006, comes on the back of many accolades from previous years which has resulted in Monmouthshire County Council putting together a plan of action to maintain the event for the future.

This year's Abergavenny Festival of Cycling takes place between July 12-15 and features not just three days of riding, both competitive and leisure, but a brand new element, a Fringe Festival of Cycling.

That features a charity showing of acclaimed cycling film 'Blood, Sweat and Gears' at the King's Arms on Thursday July 12 and is a fly-on-the-wall documentary about rise of the Chipotle/Slipstream cycling team from nothing to international stardom.

And there is also a talk by Britain's top cycling journalist, William Fotheringham, about the life of Tour de France legend Eddy Merckx, which takes place at the Borough Theatre after the Iron Mountain Sportif on Saturday July 14.

Now the big cycling magazines are adding their weight to Abergavenny's drive to be cycling's place to be in Wales, and Festival organiser Bill Owen is delighted.

He said: "This is wonderful and is further proof that Abergavenny is being recognised not only in Wales but throughout the UK for its' cycling heritage.

"The Cycling World article in particular is not just about riding the Iron Mountain Sportif but gives an outstanding portrail of the wonderful Monmouthshire and South Powys countryside in general.

"We have already spoke to the editors at Cycling World, who came to Abergavenny on their own initiative and without any prompting from us, to thank them for their backing of our event.

"Over the years, we have gained outstanding column inches from many publications in Wales, particularly in Abergavenny and Gwent, but this sort of national recognition will, we hope, ensure that many more people from right across the UK will not only come to Abergavenny next month to ride in the Iron Mountain Sportif and Tour of the Black Mountains but will make a four-day event of it, with the Fringe Festival added as well.

"And this can only do the economy of the town a power of good, bring great cash bonuses to our hotels, resaurants and cafes and build our image and brand as Wales' hub for cycling for the future."

The Cycling World story, where editor Stephen Dyster 'enjoyed a day out on the road amongst the hills around Abergavenny' can be seen on digital format at

For full information about the 2012 Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, including details of the Town Centre Criterrium on Friday July 13, the Fringe Festival and how to enter the Iron Mountain Sportif, please go to www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk